Bassetlaw Council votes for full membership of Sheffield City Region

Worksop Town Hall, Potter Street

Sophie Wills

Bassetlaw District Council has applied to join a devolution deal with Sheffield City Region that they say could deliver ‘millions of pounds of investment’ and ‘hundreds of job opportunities’ to North Nottinghamshire.

At an Extraordinary council meeting on yesterday (Thursday, March 17) Bassetlaw councillors voted to apply for full constituent membership of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) combined authority and non-constituent membership of any future North Midlands (Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire) arrangement. Councillors also voted to ratify the Sheffield City Region Devolution Agreement.

Bassetlaw District Council will continue to be part of Nottinghamshire and retain control of all the services that it is currently responsible for.

The additional devolved powers will be managed by a combined authority, which is made up of a group of councils, and will be led by an elected mayor.

Bassetlaw is applying for an equal seat at the table of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority alongside Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils, as well as Chesterfield Borough Council who have also recently voted to apply for full constituent membership.

The decision by Bassetlaw’s councillors starts a process that will include a full period of public consultation under the guidance of the Department for Communities and Local Government, ahead of the Secretary of State making the final decision. This is likely to be towards the end of 2016.

Councillor Simon Greaves, leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “Applying for full constituent membership of the Sheffield City Region is an economic decision that I firmly believe is in the best interests of the whole of our District.

“This isn’t about council services or leaving Nottinghamshire, it’s about investment, it’s about job opportunities and it’s about growing our economy in a sustainable manner.

“As a full constituent member of the Sheffield City Region, we can have an equal seat at the table and make sure that Bassetlaw’s voice is heard.

“This is the first devolution deal that is on the table, is available, and is ready to go.

“As we’ve seen in Manchester, devolution can keep evolving so it’s vital that we continue to play a role in getting the best deal from Government for the City Region and for Bassetlaw.

“We will continue to work closely with, and receive services from, our partners at Nottinghamshire County Council and will continue to play a role as a non-constituent member of any future North Midlands combined authority.”